Effects of Indirect Exposure to Homicide Events on Children’s Mental Health: Evidence from Urban Settings in Colombia

Abstract

Exposure to neighborhood violence is an important risk factor for the social and emotional development of children and youth. Previous work recognizes that violence may affect children indirectly via secondhand exposure; yet, few studies have aimed to identify and quantify these effects, especially in settings like Colombia where youth is chronically exposed to violence. To address this gap in the literature, this article implements an empirical strategy where geographically specific and time-stamped data are leveraged to identify the effect of indirect exposure to homicides on fifth grade children's social and emotional outcomes. Sample participants (N = 5801) represent the fifth-grade population of boys and girls (50.7%) in two major urban areas in the country (Mage = 11.01, SD = 0.75). We hypothesize that the effects of exposure to neighborhood violence on children's social and emotional skills will be consistent and negative. The findings indicate a consistent negative effect of indirect exposure to homicides on children's emotional functioning (i.e., emotional regulation and empathy), as well as on the prevalence of avoidance behaviors. However, contrary to theoretical expectations, the results do not support effects on children's levels of aggressive behavior, nor on the beliefs and attitudes that justify the use of aggression in interpersonal relationships. The findings are discussed in light of predictions from social cognitive models and their implications for developmentally and trauma-informed interventions for youth.

Violence Exposure, Aggressive Cognitions & Externalizing Behaviors among Colombian Youth: The Moderating Role of Community Belongingness

“…Colombia has historically been recognized as a nation of socio-political turbulence. For over five decades, numerous Colombian youth have directly or indirectly been exposed to the enduring effects of socio-political violence, including armed conflict (Molano et al, 2018). Armed conflict in Colombia is complex and multifaceted; various scholars have documented the relations between the emergence of the Colombian armed conflict with various economic, political and social factors, including high poverty rates, political instability and social inequity (Cosoy, 2016; Ibáñez and Velasquez, 2006; Yaffe, 2011).…”

The acute effects of community violence on young children's regulatory, behavioral, and developmental outcomes in a low‐income urban sample in Brazil

“…Research from Colombia has also shown the acute impacts of police-reported residential community violence on adolescents' reports of overall mental health as well as specific measures of emotion regulation, empathy, and avoidant behavior (Cuartas & Leventhal, 2020;Molano et al, 2018).…”

Amplification or inoculation: Understanding the interacting effects of political and community violence on externalizing behaviors.

“…Additional research examining cognitive mechanisms may be better able to explain these nonsignificant interactions and provide additional insight regarding the moderation effects discussed above. It is also likely that an examination of internalizing symptoms, which can show differing effects from externalizing behavior (Molano et al, 2018; Ng-Mak et al, 2004), will yield additional insights regarding the interacting effects of displacement, armed conflict, and community violence.…”

“…Both community violence witnessing and victimization have been associated with externalizing behaviors (Fowler et al, 2009). In Colombia, community violence exposure has been related to mental health concerns, aggression, and social–emotional skills (Caicedo & Jones, 2014; Chaux et al, 2012; Cuartas & Leventhal, 2020; Cuartas & Roy, 2019; Molano et al, 2018).…”